Philippines A-Z: Noli de Castro
March 6, 2009 by DJ
Filed under Education, Famous Filipinos, History, Philippines, Philippines A-Z
Hi Everyone!
Today, we close out the week with a visit to the Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines: Noli de Castro.
Manuel Leuterio de Castro, Jr. (born July 6, 1949), better known as Noli de Castro or “Kabayan”, is a politician and former broadcast journalist in the Philippines. De Castro was elected Senator in 2001 and was elected as Vice President of the Philippines in 2004. He is also the current secretary for housing and urban development. He is the first independent Senatorial topnotcher and the first elected independent Vice-President.
Biography
Early life and broadcasting career
Noli de Castro was born in the town of Pola, Oriental Mindoro. He graduated from the University of the East in 1971 with a degree in Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Banking and Finance.
De Castro began his career as a broadcaster during the Marcos dictatorship, when press freedoms were suppressed. He worked as a field reporter for Johnny de Leon, a popular radio announcer at the time. He later became a radio announcer in RPN’s DWWW station from 1982 to 1986.
After the ouster of Marcos, de Castro joined ABS-CBN. He got his break into television as the segment host of Good Morning, Philippines’ “At your Service”. He also joined dzMM, a radio station of ABS-CBN, as the anchorman of “Kabayan”. It was because of the popularity of the program that he gained the nickname “Kabayan Noli”.
In 1987, De Castro became host of “Magandang Gabi Bayan” and anchorman of the news and public affairs hit, “TV Patrol”. In January 1999 he became overall head of production of “TV Patrol” and vice president of dzMM.
Political career
Senator
In 2001, Noli De Castro successfully ran for senator as an independent 
candidate, though he campaigned with the opposition. He garnered more than 16 million votes, the highest ever for a senator in the history of Philippine politics at that time.
As a senator, De Castro authored Senate Bill No. 2029 or the “Local Government Transparency Act” which aimed to end corruption through transparency measures in the local government units.
Vice-president
In the 2004 Philippine election, De Castro ran for vice president. He won by a narrow margin over Senator Loren Legarda but an electoral protest was filed by the latter. The Supreme Court, acting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), dismissed the said protest.
2010 presidential elections
De Castro has consistently been a front-runner for the 2010 presidential elections. He has not announced his intention to run for President.
I hope everyone has a great and safe weekend. See you next week!
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Kabayan Noli De Castro is a good man. He is a good example not only for our children but also for those who are aiming to run for a public servant.
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Thank you Secretary Atienza for your visit to DJ’s World! My Mama told me that every person in public office should have two goals; help the people especially the poor and provide the very best example for the youth. I wish you great luck in your bid to re-gain your Manila Mayor position. I hope that you will visit us often. Your friend, DJ
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